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Fast Handicap

The Handicap Fleet is made up of a wide variety of dinghies both single and double handed. It is split into two, Fast Handicap and Slow Handicap, because of the differences in speed across the range of boats.

The fleet includes single handed dinghies such as the Finn and OK. On a more extreme level, there is the Contender and RS700 which once up to speed make the lake look small. In the very near future an International Canoe is set to join the fleet.

For the juniors there are Toppers, which offer a step up, from the Optimists for the younger ones, to other classes of boat, as they grow and get more experienced, they sail in our Slow Handicap fleet. The Topper is manufactured from injection moulded polypropylene which is an extremely robust material and is virtually indestructible.

Double handed dinghies include the RS200 and RS400 which speed around in all directions once their asymmetric spinnakers are hoisted. They hate a dead run, much to the amusement of those in single handers without shrouds.

Handicap racing allows you to sail whichever type of dinghy you fancy. To enable a true playing field with boats of different speeds the Portsmouth Yardstick Handicap system is used to give truly competitive racing.

Our lake probably doesn't suit all types of dinghy, such as a 49er, International 14 or 18ft Skiff may feel a little constrained but the spectators in the bar will be most pleased.

Racing not only happens on the lake, we also sail on the sea at Ainsdale when tide and weather allows.